Australian Open: Medvedev, Paul, Rublev, and De Minaur sail through as Auger-Aliassime withdraws and Tien struggles
The second day of the 2026 Australian Open delivered a mix of long-awaited redemption and sudden heartbreak, headlined by Daniil Medvedev’s first Grand Slam victory in over a year and the shock retirement of seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
The second day of the Australian Open has been defined by a significant shift in the men’s draw so far, with the retirement of seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime standing as the major story of the tournament so far. The Canadian world number eight was forced to withdraw against Nuno Borges while trailing 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, citing severe cramping that began early in the third set. His exit marks the first major casualty of the opening round and leaves a significant void in the top half of the bracket.
If you take out the upsets, the fact of the day session was Daniil Medvedev‘s win. A long-awaited homecoming to the winner’s circle in Grand Slam happened. Exactly 370 days after his last victory at a major, the number 11 seed defeated Jesper De Jong 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2).
Reflecting on the struggle, Medvedev said: “Today was not easy. First match. Different tournament, a Grand Slam. Last year I lost almost everywhere first round except here actually.” When asked about his uncharacteristic slump in 2025, he added: “I mean all of them were different. All of them were great opponents. I think all of them except Bonzi are actually seeded now so they were going up the rankings. It is what it is. I was also serving for the match in most of them. Anyway, last year wasn’t my best year.. I’m playing better and better and looking forward to this Australian Open.”
Marozsan the underdog ?
Andrey Rublev provided the night’s most clinical performance, sweeping past Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. The world number 15 is playing with significant freedom after losing in the first round here last year, and his new partnership with Marat Safin appears to be paying dividends, as he stated himself. Australian number one Alex de Minaur also enjoyed a dominant start, dismantling Mackenzie McDonald 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
On his part, Tommy Paul signaled his return to full fitness with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Aleksandar Kovacevic. Paul, who reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at this tournament in 2023, looked sharp after ending his 2025 season early due to a foot injury. The number 19 seed hammered 20 aces and showed no signs of the physical issues that plagued his previous campaign. He now looks to reclaim the form that made him a top-20 staple over the last two years.
In another notable clash of styles, 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina secured a clinical 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Filip Misolic. The Spaniard’s win sets up a physical second-round encounter against the big-serving Reilly Opelka, who safely navigated his own opener with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over young Norwegian qualifier Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Tien’s five sets effort
No. 25 seed Learner Tien survived a marathon opening round outlasting Marcos Giron 7-6 (2), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 to reach the Round of 64. It was a gritty, come-from-behind effort for the 20-year-old American, who had to work for every point to avoid an early exit. Currently ranked No. 29 (with a career-high of No. 26 reached earlier this month), Tien has grown by leaps and bounds since his breakout run at Melbourne Park last year.
In 2025, he stunned the field as a qualifier by reaching the second week of a Slam for the first time – highlighted by a massive upset of Daniil Medvedev – and he returns this year as a legitimate seeded threat. Tien will look to carry this momentum into his next match against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko.
The day concluded with Hungarian Fabian Marozsan providing a minor upset by defeating the 24th seed Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-4. Marozsan’s ability to move the Frenchman around the court proved the difference-maker as the seeds continue to find their footing in the sweltering Melbourne conditions.
